The SFP Connection Thursday, January 3, 2008

Happy New Year from all of us at SFP!

A special letter from the Executive Director

Dear Fellow SFP’er,

SFP staff and executive are putting the final touches on our new and continuing programming for 2008 (including our Playtime and Boredom Busters drop-in, parenting and perinatal workshops) and we wish to make a special appeal to our members and supporters.

As you may or may not know, our membership and drop-in fees do not cover the full costs of our programs, nor do they cover capital costs related to toys and equipment upgrades. SFP relies heavily on direct access grants, government support, our Party Space enterprise and your generous donations to cover many of our costs, thereby enabling us to maintain low program fees, relative to similar programs offered elsewhere. As well, as part of the direct access gaming grant, we are expected to show our community supports our programming, and need to raise 25 per cent of our annual budget through fundraising, municipal contributions and in-kind support.

After reviewing these fundraising expections, as well as additional future needs of SFP, we have decided to initiate a 2008 Friends of the SFP Campaign to assist us in addressing the shortfall arising from such expenses and to build up a reserve fund that will allow us to address longer-term capital issues, including a possible move to a new location with more space for programming and more parking. We have several fundraising ideas planned for this year, including a series of concerts, films, raffles, and Garage Sales.

At this time, we hope that all of you will reflect on what SFP has meant to you over the past years (and decades) and join us in getting our campaign off to a solid start. We invite you to consider making a tax-deductable contribution toward the future of SFP, either via mail, at SFP or through our online donation portal (access on the homepage of www.semiahmoofamilyplace.com ), where tax receipts are given instantly. In anticipation of your support, and on behalf of all present and future SFP’ers, we thank you!

Sincerely,

Laurel Tien
Executive Director, Semiahmoo Family Place
Direct Tel 604-612-6906
Main SFP Tel 778-322-1222
ed@semiahmoofamilyplace.com
www.semiahmoofamilyplace.com

Upcoming Programming—full calendar available at SFP or on the website (click on Whats New)

Friday evening programming: Family Dinner and Boredom Busters (Jan 5)
Family Dinner is Lasagne! Call us by noon on the Friday to reserve your family’s space (778-322-1222).
Theme: Princesses and Knights
Movie: Ella Enchanted
Want to come for both Family Dinner and Boredom Busters? Max $20 per family.

New Beginnings (drop-in group for parents with newborns)
Free-of-charge with your drop-in fee—starts in January 2008 on Thursdays from 11:30 am to 12:30pm. Jan 10 Introductions and Making Plans; Jan 17 Cloth Diapering and Eco Friendly Baby Products

New Group—Parent’s Nite Out!
Come out and connect with other parents from SFP—fun and games! First session Monday January 21 at 7pm. Cost: $2 plus potluck snack to share.

Has Semiahmoo Family Place touched your life? We want to hear your stories! Our first annual Homecoming event is scheduled for Friday February 8 from 6-9pm. To find out more, call 778-322-1222.

Upcoming VIRTUES PROJECT evening sessions
A stand-alone introductory session Thursday Jan 17, 7- 9pm is a perfect opportunity for couples to take part together or for those who would like to see what it is all about. $15 per person or $20 per couple.
A 5 week in-depth class will be starting on Thursday evenings Jan 24, 2008 Time: 7:00 to 9:30 PM Cost: $95 per person or $145 per couple (Partial Scholarships available.) To register, call the SFP booking line at 778-881-4122. REGISTER BY JAN 15 th AND GET A FREE SET OF VIRTUES CARDS ($15 value). Space is limited. Register today at 778-881-3122! For more information call Kelly @ (604)531-7324 or kelly@betterfamilylife.ca

Free of Charge—Life with Baby Drop-In Sessions. Check our website for the free classes offered this month. Pre-register with Deborah at 778-881-4122 so that we can plan for the topics you would like to cover.